HELP! my HVAC lights do not work because I am an idiot!

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Sep 30, 2003 | 09:04 PM

Sti-nkinPhast

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HELP! my HVAC lights do not work because I am an idiot!

ok....following everyone's steps to change to the red HVAC lights.......

everything was great....got them all in, and then some were not as red as the others. So I start to fiddle with the plastic screws twisting them and some started to get redder...and whatnot....

Anyways Im on the third screw and all of the sudden I hear a "CLICK" then none of the lights come on???? Im like WTF???

I hope I didn't do any permanent damage.... Maybe I blew a fuse? Did anyone else screw this up like I just did?

Well hope this is nothing too major...

PS Dave: yeah dont do what I did....just wait for help from someone who knows what they are doing...

Sep 30, 2003 | 09:15 PM

acarguy

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Did you take the bulb itself out or did you remove the front of the HVAC assembly to change the covers? Did you try and turn the screw back the other way? Is it possible that the plug for the assembly came loose?

Sorry I'm trying to go from memory.....if I have some time I'll try and take a look at the assembly to refresh my memory. Good luck

Sep 30, 2003 | 09:21 PM

Sti-nkinPhast

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i took the bulb out, changed the covers, then re-installed the bulbs. Yes I tried to screw in the bulb the other way too.... the plug is in because i checked and also the fan and temp and AC controls all still work.....Just no lights!

Sep 30, 2003 | 09:53 PM

mehlt

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The only thing that I can think of is that the lights are in series and if one goes they all go. (Kinda like Xmas lights). Seems like that would be kinda strange, but it's an idea. Maybe one of the lights burned out in the process or something.

Sep 30, 2003 | 10:39 PM

Sti-nkinPhast

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OK, this is what happened:

NOTE TO SELF AND OTHERS:

when working on your car, especially when electronics and wiring is involved, make sure power is OFF..... what happened was the metal part of the screwdriver touched a part of the metal prong on the side of the screw and sparked it. thus creating a short and blowing the #10 fuse....

SOOO... I replaced the fuse and the lights started to work (thank God) and after ripping apart all 4 red condoms

(aka red bulb covers) I ran down to office max and picked up a red sharpie and just colored these bastards!! put everything back in, fired up the car and VIOLA! red HVAC controls looking mean as ever....

so a 10 minute job really took me a few hours..... but at least they work and are finally RED..... and now I dont feel like a total idiot!

Sep 30, 2003 | 10:56 PM

silver satin

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Car Info: 2004 Subaru STI/WRX Silver of course

Condoms

I have four left if you want them and can help you put them in the way mehlt told me how takes longer but won't have any sparking problems

Sep 30, 2003 | 11:00 PM

Sti-nkinPhast

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why?, will the sharpie RED eventually fade away or something??

yeah sparks suck

Sep 30, 2003 | 11:13 PM

acarguy

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Cool.....I think its much easier to change the fuse than have to find a replacement bulb

I think it would have been better to try and get more condoms since I have heard that the sharpie fades and some of the pics I've seen seemed to look better with the condoms. But......I'd say if it looks good it looks good....i'm just one of those **** folk that TRYS to do everything the right way (meaning I'm waaaaay to cautious

)

Glad you solved the problem.